Irish coach Alexander Cox says his side may need to employ a defensive strategy if they are to get something from their opening World Cup tie against champions Australia.

The Irish women’s team’s Olympic Games hopes received a huge boost as they were confirmed as one of the host nations for the next phase of qualifiers for Tokyo.

Ireland’s men begin their 2018 World Cup qualification journey with a new-look panel charged with winning World League 2 in Belfast over the coming week.

Cork Harlequins, despite playing two games in just over 24 hours, advanced to the Irish Senior Cup final for the first time in 15 years.

Matthew Nelson’s late equaliser against Italy was enough to secure Ireland’s future in the top tier of the Eurohockey U18 Youths Championship with a 2-2 draw.

Ards matched UCC every step of the way over a turbulent EY Hockey League double weekend to leave the Cork students battling to avoid relegation.

Hermes were the weekend’s big movers in the women’s EY Hockey League with impressive wins over challengers Ulster Elks and Cork Harlequins.

Oil and metal prices remained volatile today after a cocktail of gloomy economic data from across the world triggered a massive sell-off.

THE curtain comes down on a successful IRB under 19 World Championship in Belfast today, with the host nation bidding to finish on a positive note when they face Scotland in the 9th Place Play-Off Final at Ravenhill (3pm).

Ireland coach Charlie McAleese has rung the changes once more to the Ireland U19 team that will play Scotland in the ninth place playoff in the U19 IRB U19 World Championship tomorrow in Ravenhill.

A TOURNAMENT that started so promisingly for Ireland U19s now sees the hosts fighting for respectability.

There are several changes both in personal and position to the Ireland U-19 team to play Japan U19 in the IRB U-19 World Championship tomorrow in Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast.

RAVENHILL will be close to capacity tonight for Ireland’s win-or-bust final pool clash with South Africa in the IRB World U-19 Championship.

Ireland U-19 13 Scotland U-19 12

Management have announced the Ireland U19 team to play Australia U19 in the IRB Under 19 World Championship in Ravenhill, Belfast on Thursday, April 5, at 19.30pm.

The Ireland U19 team will play their final international friendly before the beginning of this year's IRB U19 World Championship when they take on Italy in Parma this Sunday.

The Ireland U-19 team begins its preparations for this year’s IRB U-19 World Championship with a game against Wales in Stradey Park this Friday night.

The Ireland Schools team to play England schools tomorrow in the opening game of the U18 4 Nations Schools tournament shows two personnel and three positional changes to the side that played against France last weekend in a friendly.